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Presentation on theme: "The Deity and Greatness of Jesus"— Presentation transcript:

4 The Challenges We Face Ressurgence of GnosticismAttraction of Conspiracy TheoriesThe Desire to Present a Sanitized, Politically Correct JesusSubtle influences of HollywoodSelfish desires to be free of Jesus´ rule

6 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorThe fundamental distinction (Romans 1:25)If Jesus is a creature, He is distinct from GodIf He is the Creator, He is distinct from usThe Bible presents Jesus as existing before the creation and as Creator of all that exists

7 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorClear claims of ScriptureJohn 1:1-3Colossians 1:15-17Implications are so strong that opponents have worked hard to strip these texts of their importance

8 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorJohn 1:1 – Is Jesus God, or a god?NWT and arguments based on the absence of the article (God vs. The God)God is God, with or without the articleGod is God without the article in 1:6,12,13,18

9 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures?Ever since the Arians (4th century)Firstborn could mean first to be madeArgument of Jehovah´s WitnessesOr it could mean principal heir with authority over the creation (Exodus 4:22)Which fits the context?

10 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures?He is the image of the invisible God, the first one created, for [because] He created all things ??Something missing? All other things?Look at comment from the publishers of the NWT

11 Publishers of NWT comment about their rendering of Colossians 1:15-20“But now trinitarians confront you with Paul´s words at Colossians 1:15-20 according to the King James Version. They argue that, if Jesus Christ was before all things and all things consist by him and were created by him and for him, then he must be the very same as the Almighty, Most High God, or be one person with God. But we must harmonize these verses with all other scriptures that Jesus Christ was God´s Son and a creation of His. So the Greek word here must be rendered in the sense of “all other.” Note, then, how the New World Translation blasts the trinitarian argument!” [Source: “Further Enrichment of Understanding,” Watchtower, October 15, 1950, page 396]

12 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures?He is the image of the invisible God, the first one created, for [because] He created all things ??He is the image of the invisible God, the principal heir over all creation, for [because] He created all things . . .

13 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1: – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it allThis is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-6Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstbornRevelation 3:14Origin, source, ruler – same word used of God in Revelation 21:6; 22:13Ruler fits context – see Revelation 3:14,21

14 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1: – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it allThis is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-6Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstbornRevelation 3:14

15 Jesus, the Uncreated CreatorColossians 1: – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it allThis is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-6Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstbornRevelation 3:14Psalm 89:27; cf. Psalm 2:6-8 – set as King, receives nations as inheritance – Hebrews 1:2

16 Jesus, the Eternal GodJesus existed before Abraham came into existenceJohn 8:24; 56-59, especially 58 – before Abraham came into existence, I AM (two different verbs)Psalm 90:2 – before the mountains came into existence, You Are (same grammatical structure and same two verbs in the LXX)They did not want to stone Him because he thought he was 2,000 years old, but because His claim was to be God (John 8:59)

17 Jesus, the Eternal God Jesus existed before creation (John 17:5)Think of how slowly the universe agesScientists suggest 500 million years for the earth and 5 billion for the sunTrees, rocks, etc. last a long timeThese things are like a change of clothes in comparison to Jesus´ eternity (Hebrews 1: – Psalm 102:25-27)Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1

18 Jesus was Active in History Before the Incarnation1 Corinthians 10:4,9 – Paul says Christ was with the Israelites in the wilderness, and was tested by themGod was tested (Numbers 14:22; 21:5-6; Psalms 78:18-20; 95:6-11 (compare Hebrews 3:7-15 – living God – 12, Christ – 14, Holy Spirit – 7)

19 Jesus was Active in History Before the IncarnationIsaiah saw His glory (John 12:37-41)But whose glory did Isaiah see? (Isaiah 6:1- 5)

20 Jesus was Active in History Before the IncarnationMatthew 23:37Tendency to think only in terms of His earthly ministryHowever, Matthew does not record any of Jesus´ prior visits to Jerusalem (John does – John 2:13; 5:1; 7:10)

21 Jesus was Active in History Before the IncarnationMatthew 23:3723:34 – Jesus would send prophets, etc.23:37 – but prophets had already been sent, evidently by the same one who often wanted to save themCompare to 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 – practically the same language to speak of what God had done in the OTLanguage of refuge under the wings is common of God´s protection of His people (Psalm 36:7 and several others)

22 Jesus is . . . The uncreated Creator, distinct from all creaturesThe eternal God, who has always existedThe same God who was active in the history of the Old Testament

23 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6)